Exceeding Expectations: Daniel by msbimages

"His stark male nudes are visually crisp, masterfully executed and unencumbered"
The Dallas Morning News



'My work celebrates a minimalist aesthetic and documents fleeting ephemera: youth and innocence, beauty and strength, bloom and promise and at the same time mourns their inevitable passing.'
Michal Boothe by msbimages



Dallas photographer Michal Boothe's work has appeared on FH many times in the past. (most notably HERE: & HERE:) In one my features I was struck with how although the men Michal shoots are naked, more than that, they are seen. This may seem an obvious statement, but in fact what Michal accomplishes is really quite rare. In so many images that I view, even when a model is completely nude, they are often quite hidden behind make-up, behind shadow, behind concept.



With the goal of celebrating emotions of innocence, promise and mourning, all beautifully connected, yet at the same time wildly vast of range, a clear focus is essential. For Michal, that focus is clearly the face and eyes. In comparing both his incredible portraits, well as full body images, The challenging goal Michal set for as his artist statement are always beautifully met, no more so in this set with Daniel. Daniel has a great body for sure, but his face is simply mesmerizing, captured beautifully by Michal's lens.



What I think makes Michal's work stand out is the purity in he depicts his models so beautifully and simply naked. Many of the images you see slathered over most blogs and sites seem to be selling something instead of sharing something. The focus is on muscled models, oiled up and camera ready, standing tall and proud displaying their junk for the world to admire and salivate over. Michael's work exudes a quieter more natural intimacy. Within Michal's images, models are not ashamed of their nakedness, but nor are they especially proud...they just are. It just feels more about them, and less about us.



'Daniel is quiet more than shy. He is a talented artist and intelligent in conversation about film, literature, art and philosophy. Since he was attending a religious university when we shot, I was not sure what to expect when he said he wanted to "push the envelope" but he more than exceeded my expectations. He is truly one of the most naturally beautiful men I have had the pleasure to photograph and the combination of dark hair and eyes with porcelain white skin is an unbeatable combination.'
Michal Boothe from msbimages



msbimages